student asking question

What does "ask someone out" mean? Does "ask someone" have different nuance?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "ask someone out" means to ask someone to go on a date because you are interested in them romantically. "Ask someone out" has a very different nuance than "ask someone". To "ask someone" refers to asking someone a question, but it can be any question and has no implication that there is romantic intent. To "ask someone out" implies that you are going to ask someone to go on a date for romantic intent. Ex: She asked him out on a date but he said no. Ex: Are you going to ask her out yet?

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